Iowa State's Dustin Hogue reveals one of his lucky toothpicks Tuesday against Baylor. Hogue is averaging 12.3 points and 9.6 rebounds a game.

Written by

Two years ago, Royce White threw a scare into the Iowa State basketball team when his lucky shoes gave out during pregame warm-ups before a game at Oklahoma, so they've packed extra shoes for players ever since.

The ninth-ranked Cyclones play there again at 11 a.m. Saturday, and this time, team managers will be packing toothpicks - Dustin Hogue has proven he can't play well without them.

"It's always been a good-luck thing," Hogue said before the 14-0 Cyclones practiced Thursday. ...